Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

— www.MainStreetNewsSports.com — November 6, 2008 The Banks County News Justin Poole, Sports Editor 706-367-2348, direct line 706-387-5418, FAX justin@mainstreetnews.com 25 th World CROSS COUNTRY Crown at Peach State on Sunday BY BRANDON REED With 25 years of history, drivers from all around the country are preparing to trav el to Peach State Speedway in Jefferson this weekend to take part in the World Crown weekend, with the high light being an opportunity to add your name to the list of winners, including Darrell Waltrip, Dick Trickle, Rick Crawford and three-time winner Paul Kelley. Drivers from New York, Colorado, Maine and around the southeast are entered to compete for the right to wear the coveted crown in victory lane, and to take home the Rob Joyce Memorial trophy. For some, there’s no such thing as too much practice as they get ready for the World Crown. 2008 Georgia Asphalt Series Five Star Wheels Rookie of the Year T. J. Reaid hit the track last week to work to dial his car in for the big event. The Acworth native says he feels confident going into the Nov. 9 event. “We’re trying some stuff here today that we’ve messed around with at the shop that we think may help us.” Reaid won his first late model event at New Senoia Raceway back on Aug. 16, and would like to make the World Crown his second win. For Royston’s Jeremy Rice, Sunday’s World Crown rep resents an opportunity to end his season on a high note. “We didn’t make the last race at Lanier due to fuel problems,” Rice said. “We’ve had problems the last few months, but we think we’ve finally gotten it fixed. We hope to have a good showing all weekend.” It will be Rice’s first appearance of the year at Peach State. Seventeen-year-old James Nealis is a two-and-a-half year Pro Late Model vet eran. The Gainesville area driver says he enjoys coming to Peach State to compete, and the history of the World Crown is not lost on him. “It’s very important,” Nealis said. “At the begin ning of the year, we built this car with the hopes of making it with this same car to this race. About a month ago, we stopped and I tore the car down and rebuilt it just for next weekend with the hope that we can come out and win.” Reaid said there’s definite importance to See World Crown on page 2B BCHS boys cross country heading to state BY JUSTIN POOLE Expectations were high as the Banks County cross coun try team traveled to Riverside last Saturday. In the region race, the cross country runners had to give it their all because accord ing to coach Kelly McDuffie, it is all or nothing in cross country. The Leopards’ runners were rewarded for this sea son’s hard work. The girls finished seventh in the 8-AA region, which is one of the toughest regions in the state, and Amy Sims finished just shy of a new school record. The boys made it to state, finishing third in the region. The brother duo of Jorge Diaz, placing second, and Ivan Diaz, placing eighth, broke into the top ten and set a school record. STATE BOUND The Banks County boys cross country runners are heading to Carrollton compete in the state race Saturday. Pictured are Avery Chastain, Viet Pham, Nathan Holloway, Jorge Diaz, Kieffer Hellmeister, Trey Martin and Ivan Diaz. Not pictured but also going to state is Simon Hurtado. The boys will go this Saturday to compete in the state race at Carrollton. The race starts at 11:30 a.m. See Cross Country on page 3B BCHS @ Union County, Friday, 7:30 p.m. Banks is in for the fight of the season BY JUSTIN POOLE The Banks County High School Leopards are more than ever in a do-or-die situation. Friday night is it. Banks will either make it to the show or end up making plans for next year. Banks has to beat Union County. Be it by one point or 50, the Leopards have to win. In addition, the situation is only halfway in Big Blue's playbook. For the Leopards to make it to the playoffs another team has to lose. According to head coach Blair Armstrong, if Banks can pull out a win and North Oconee helps out by beating Fannin County, the Leopards should be in the playoffs. “We have a lot of film on Union County,” said Armstrong. “They arc a very, very good football team. They have a lot of things going in their favor.” Armstrong feels that the kids are comfortable with the travel and since Banks has a little bit stronger defense than last year, the Leopards have a shot. BREAKDOWN Banks is 5-3 going into Friday’s game with 4-4, Union County. The Leopards have a paper-thin advantage over their opponent. Banks has scored a total of 272 points this season, only six points over Union’s 266 points. Average scored points per game for Banks is 30.2 barely above Union at 29.6. Union County has allowed 242 points compared to Banks allowing 201 points. Last year, the game came down to one touchdown as Banks trumped Union 42-34. In fact, in the past three meetings between the teams, Banks has come out on top. However, Union County holds the advantage overall win ning 18 of the past 33 games since 1959. If you arc superstitious, the two times Banks has faced Union on a November 14, (2003 and 1986) Banks has won (27-0 and 12-7). Banks has to pull out all the stops and throw everything it’s got at Union on Friday night to have a shot. The fans have to pull double duty and cheer for a Big Blue victory and for North Oconee to beat up on Fannin County so Banks can make it to the playoffs. See the report on the Oglethorpe game on page 3B At A Glance: Union County (4-4, 5-4) @ Blairsville Friday, 7:30 Last Year: BC won 40-34 THE KICK IS UP Tyler Husley kicks a fair PAT last Friday at Oglethorpe County. Big Blue defeat ed the Patriots 42-20. Photo by Justin Poole Tanger Town Centre Value Shopping at its Best! Goody’s Family Clothing * Black & Decker * Petsense • Cato Hibbett Sports • Kitchen Collection • dressbarn * And More! Commerce, GA *■ 1-85, Banks Crossing, Exit 149 * 706-335-3354 ■ Monday-Saturday 9-9, Sunday 12-6 Enjoy our WEEKLY OFFER at TangerTown Centre ^7 Paper Factory Ji 1 A PA RTV AM ERICA OUTIET fTO Rl *■ $5 OFF your purchase of S25 or more Valid at the larger Town Centre localion only. Cannot be combined with other offers. Other restrictions may apply. Expires 11-16-08